........ where the hell was our cover on the bench if any of tonights 2 attackers had got injured? We did not have one striker as a sub? Just back from the game and yes it is a good win, not a big win but a decent one. I thought we scored too soon then sat back like we always do. Jones was ****e as usual and Walters was buzzing first half and quiet in the second half. Split were too small a side to compete and lacked fire power up front. No doubt the second leg is going to be a TP park the bus and hope for a lucky goal game. I was going to go to Croatia for the second leg but don't fancy it now to be honest. Split fans were in good voice and it was weird watching them being conducted by one guy that never watched a single kick of the game. he told them when to sing, when to stand and when to sit down and light flares.... well weird! Come on Tone get us a decent striker and fast!
Thought we did well tonight seen as we had the toughest draw, Delap was MOTM in my opinion. Would have been nice to get two but a lead is a lead, pressure will be on them chasing the game at home.
Mackem Too be fair Jones didn't get too much help up front apart from Walter's who sat too deep once we scored. He won dozens of headers with not one player willing too get on the end of. He's lazy at times but he didn't play that badly in fairness. Waddo Pretty good accesment of the game mate. We DID score too early and, as usual we sat back and didn't get the ball out to Pennant and Ringtone often enough 2nd half. They looked like they were happy to lose by the odd goal. And, I don't understand why we didn't keep pressing after that great start. Typical and it's nothing new with how we set up. Our passing was woeful second half and Pulis has too sort that out. IF he does we had the pace and player's too have won by more. Some luck we could have been at least 3 up and tie would have been over. Now, it's going too be hard for us and I HOPE we don't just try and defend a one nil lead. A good win but could have been much better after 90mins and they had one shot at goal I think that made Begovic work. Apart from that we defended very well. As we've all said before that midfield last night simply wasn't good enough, but what's new.
What's going on with Shots? Is he a striker these days or something? When he came on last night Walters went left and he went up front. I assumed it was just to get another big lad up top, but apparently he played up front in one of the friendlies...
Pistol I should have said they Hadjuk ONLY had one shot on target. If anything it was Walter's who was too deep mate. Guess why, cos 2nd half we were just giving the ball back too Hadjuk. Jones did OK mate we do need a nippy forward Steino type to run on to those flicks. Jones won everyting first half in the air. Ain't his fault that for some reason. We all sat back. as for the midfield Delap was OK but just about OK Whelan nope. Whitehead and Wilson in midfield and get another fullback please Tony. Too many players were not playing in their best positions IMHO. That's for Pulis to sort out. And, NO creation really 2nd half. SORT it TONY and WHERE are those four of five player's? You keep banging on about.
It was a job well done .. but another goal would of made life a little easier ! As for the squad its painfully thin of quality and the bench said it all ... When we ran out of ideas 2nd half there was simply nothing we could do about it .. We need signings in and quick cause that is the starting line up in the PL v Chelsea if not
Potts, I know mate, I was there, I was referring to Ryan Shotton when he came on. For some reason he was up the opposite end of the pitch than usual.
Pistol My aplogies mate and right about that bench Chelsea erm we don't sign anyone I'm gonna keep my eye's shut! Could be a complete battering.
Potts, With our 3 opening games we may have a dodgy goal difference, we will need to pick up points away.
I dont fancey the away games either, 2 newbies and WBA & Sunderland? Newbie are always up for it at the start of the season and WBA were very good under Hodgson. Sunderland - Who knows but if we had between 0 & 3 points after the those games I wouldn't be suprised - I'm not being negative either, just cant see us all of a sudden being competitive in the road with the same team from last year?
shocking officials last night and it was disappointing to see the splitz players fukin about by diving every challenge! Splitz fans were a tasty bunch, had a couple of pre-match drinks in the harvester and about 25 of them walked in, place went silent, quite an experience! Imo 1-0 isnt enough to take over there and im nervous for the stokies makin the trip after seein the away fans tryin rush the stewards towards the end.
My view on last night's game: We were OK for the first 20mins and might have increased our lead with a bit of luck. However we started to drop back after that and allowed them more of the ball. Defensively we were solid without being put under much pressure. Midfield was not good enough. I thought Whelan did OK but he lacked support. Delap is not the answer though he did break-up one or two of their attacking threats. Walters was lively first half and showed up Jones as an idle, lethargic so and so. Why did they play so deep in the second half? at one point in the 2nd half Matty was dropping back to within 3 ft of Wilson! Additions are needed ASAP. It was the first competitive game and match fitness is always lacking so early on but I do fear for our PL prospects this season based on last night's performance.
Talking of needing a new striker, did anyone see that Al-Mahamadoui guy we were linked with at the start of the window. He looks like the next Fuller on youtube and would blatantly be much better than Jerome, Crouch, et. al. Also being linked with 'the next Park Ji Sung' at the moment according to the Japanese press.
